As some may know, I am married to God's blessing in my life, Miss Penny (Country1). We share a love of many things such as family, sewing machines, gardening, rescue dogs and being together. I am the long term woodworker, shooting sports enthusiast and leather crafter (this last one for only a few years though). I am a retired RN and Journeyman toolmaker, and I love complex machinery. Electronic doodads hold no fascination for me, and as to sewing machines, my interests stop at about 1964 when my handsome New Home (Janome) 532 was born. It and our 1934 hand crank Singer 201 are my favorites, even more so than the FW given to me in 1976 when I graduated high school and moved 3 states away to begin my first apprenticeship. I was the only fella with a sewing machine, and made some "beer money" patching other fellas jeans as was the style then.
This year has been tough for both of us. Last fall I had a slip and fall at home, resulting in a badly ruptured lumbar disc that required surgery in January (when I made my last post I believe). Doing my home therapy exercises, I gave myself a double hernia that required surgical repair. Penny required urgent gallbladder surgery several months ago in addition to all this. Here I sit, unable to lift more than 10 pounds, bend at the waist, set for more than a few minutes or stand very long. An artificial right knee complicates things too, and the back brace and cane don't help matters. "Why yes! I'll have some cheese with my whine!" I say.
Anyway, I have made an active decision to get serious about my wishes to try my hand at quilting. Good therapy for the soul in and of itself, and an outlet for the inner artist in me, I want to create things of beauty and practicality using the above mentioned favorite conglomerations of mechanical wonder. I admire the Civil War era patterns and materials, but must crawl before even trying to walk. I have decided on a 9 patch pattern, and would like to create the top using the handcrank Singer, while joining top-batting-backing in a meandering style on the Janome 532, since it has the feed dogs that drop. Lofty goals for a man of my limited experience, but one I look forward to achieving with time and Penny's tutelage. Don

11-11-2012, 06:44 AM

NikkiLu

Welcome back - I actually remember your username - very unique for a quilter! Just start small and simple - a 9-patch would be great. My little grandson wanted to learn to sew many years ago and he asked me to teach him. We thought that a pillow would be a good place to start. He lived on a farm and raised animals and bought Purina feed and their emblem is a 9-patch - red and white. So that is what he wanted. I helped him cut out the red and white fabric squares, then showed him how to match them up and sew them together, then sew on the back and stuff it, etc. He entered it in the local fair - FFA. He won, then they took it to the next higher fair and then finally to the state fair and he won a blue ribbon for his age group.

11-11-2012, 08:57 AM

quilttiger

Welcome back to the world of quilting! I suggest small quilt as you go patterns. 9-patch patterns are total fun with different colors and prints. Consider disappearing 9-patch blocks, too. Good luck!

11-11-2012, 09:22 AM

Abby'smom

:) welcome back -- good luck!!

11-11-2012, 09:32 AM

Vanuatu Jill

Welcome back and please keep us posted with your progress. We are very willing to, in addiction to your DW, help you along your way to creating beautiful, artful, etc works of functional art! So very sorry for all the trials you and your DW have been through.

11-11-2012, 11:07 AM

cowgirlquilter

Welcome from the heart of wine country in Napa Valley California! This is a great place for new friends and great quilting! Sending positive thoughts to you in your journeys........

11-11-2012, 04:36 PM

Belfrybat

Welcome back. 9 patch is my favourite as so many things can be done with it. I am particularly enamoured of the disappearing 9 patch starting with 6" blocks. The quilts work up fast but are so interesting the way they come together.

11-11-2012, 08:10 PM

Janet L52

Hello and welcome back! Please keep us posted on your progress and maybe some pictures?

11-12-2012, 02:29 AM

wuv2quilt

Welcome Back to the QB from Morganton, NC. You're going to love it here :thumbup: